Bobcats use balanced attack in win

The Quinnipiac University Women’s Basketball team notched their fifth straight win last Saturday, defeating Mount St. Mary’s 68-57. With the victory, the Bobcats moved to 20-3 overall and 12-1 in the NEC while The Mount fell to 7-19 overall and 5-10 in NEC play.

The Bobcats had four players score in double figures, led by Erin Kerner who had 13 points. For The Mount, Dominique Mazzuchi was the leading scorer with 19 points.

Junior Brianna Rooney help set the pace for the Bobcats in the early going with two of her five steals of the game coming in the opening minutes. After hitting two free throws with 9:34 remaining in the first half, the Bobcats had opened up a 17-8 lead.

Quinnipiac also had valuable help off of the bench. sophomore Krystal Lazos and junior Kathleen Neyens each had four first half points to help maintain the lead.

The Bobcats’ intensity stepped up towards the end of the half, and Erin Kerner’s 3-pointer with 1.8 seconds remaining gave Quinnipiac momentum and a 33-21 halftime advantage.

Coming out of the locker room, both teams came out firing threes. For Mount St. Mary’s Mazzuchi scored early in the second half to keep the game within reach.

However, the Bobcats had an answer as Rooney, Kerner and junior Mandy Pennewell matched the Mountaineers’ scores by each hitting a 3-pointer of their own in a three minute span. This spurt gave QU a commanding 48-30 lead at the 15:06 mark, forcing the Mountaineers to call a timeout.

Rooney’s solid play continued throughout the second half. She dished out an assist to senior Nicole Duperron, then scored two of her 12 points the next possession on a drive to keep the Bobcats in control at 57-42 with 7:28 left.

Mount St. Mary’s guard Mary Dunn hit a jumper to make it 67-57 with 1:28 left, but that was as close as they would get. The Bobcats were able to run out the clock and and stay atop the NEC standings.

Rooney finished the game with 12 points, while Pennewell scored 11 for the Bobcats.

On Saturday, Quinnipiac will host Sacred Heart. The Pioneers are the only team to beat the Bobcats in the NEC so far this season. Sacred Heart took down Quinnipiac 92-82 earlier this season.